righteousness

• righteousnesse (obsolete)

From Middle English rightwisnes, from Old English rihtwīsnes (“justice”), equivalent to righteous +‎ -ness.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/

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righteousness (countable and uncountable, plural righteousnesses)

1. (uncountable) The quality or state of being righteous.
   • 1834, L E L, chapter IV, in Francesca Carrara. , volume I, London: Richard Bentley, , (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 45:

     But in these days of fanaticism, that harsh and violent spirit is abroad, when men clothe their own angry passions in the garb of righteousness, and call persecution vindicating the honour of God.

2. (uncountable, theology) Holiness; conformity of life to the divine law.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible,  (King James Version), London: Robert Barker, , →OCLC, Amos 5:21–24:

     21 ¶ I hate, I despise your feast dayes, and I will not smell in your solemne assemblies.
     22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings, and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
     23 Take thou away from mee the noise of thy songs: for I will not heare the melodie of thy violes.
     24 But let iudgement run downe as waters, and righteousnesse as a mightie streame.

   • 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:

     By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.

   Synonyms: rectitude, uprightness, holiness, godliness, equity, justice, rightfulness, integrity, honesty, faithfulness

3. (countable, now rare) A righteous act or quality.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible,  (King James Version), London: Robert Barker, , →OCLC, Isaiah 44:6:

     All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

4. The behaviour of someone who is righteous.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible,  (King James Version), London: Robert Barker, , →OCLC, Psalms 106:3:

     Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth rightness at all times.

5. (theology) The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground justification.^[1]
   • 1594-7, Richard Hooker, Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, A Discourse, Section 21

     There are two kinds of Christian righteousness: the one without us, which we have by imputation; the other in us, which consisteth of faith, hope, and charity, and other Christian virtues.

   • 1646-7, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q.33

     Only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.